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Archos
In what’s fast becoming a trend, Archos has announced a pair of budget-minded Android 5.1 smartphones to be sold direct to consumer. Of course, this has been the Archos way of doing things all along.
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Available starting in July, the new 5 Helium Plus and 55 Helium Plus will play in the same sandbox as the Moto E (second-gen) and other entry-level devices. Save for a few differences, the two phones feature nearly identical hardware.
Both phones have a 1GHz quad-core Mediatek processor, a 13-megapixel rear camera, and 8GB of internal storage. Additionally, the pair pack in 4G LTE connectivity and a 5-megapixel front-facing shooter. Oh, and they come unlocked with support for two SIM cards.
So what’s the difference? The 5 Helium Plus comes with a 5-inch 720p HD display, while the 55 Helium Plus plumps up with a slightly larger 5.5-inch screen. Also, the smaller one totes a 2,000mAh battery whereas its sibling has a larger 2,400mAh power source.
While neither device is going to set the world on fire, the price points are right in line with the hardware. At $110 for the 5-inch device and $140 fro the 5.5-inch one, the new Archos phones are worthy alternatives to the recently launched Blu Studio C.